Whatever your favorite warm weather activity is, it’s always more fun when you pair it with one of our best summer makeup looks. From days sprawled out by the pool, to reading Colleen Hoover novels, to cooling down with ice cream cones, these glowy makeup ideas are the perfect pairing for all of the above. Some of our favorites this year? Cloud skin, a soft-focus effect that starts with our Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer. We also can’t get enough of Euphoria-inspired eye embellishments, which lend a little something extra to your classic winged liner. Below, find the 19 best summer makeup looks to try immediately, with some extra tips and tricks from our Director of Artistry Sara Wren.
1. Smoky Cat Eye + Pink CheeksWe love a matte finish in the summer, but it’s important to make sure your skin stays hydrated and gripped underneath. Take cues from Loressa, who started this look with a base of Hydro Grip Primer, locking in hydration and keeping her beat on all day. Loressa created a smoky cat eye look with a combination of liners and shadows buffed out into this soft, dreamy effect. Along the edges of the lower inner corner liner, she placed just a little bit of glitter. Her eyebrows are nice and feathery, a look you can achieve with our KUSH Brow Lamination Gel. Her base is a combination of a foundation and our Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer in 2C. Bright pink blush added to the outer corners of her cheeks bring major color back into her face. The lips, overlined and filled in with a warm taupe hue, are decidedly matte, as is Loressa’s skin. You can get a matte look by setting your face with powder, then sealing everything in with our Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray, which gives you that soft-focus blur similar to what you see here. Look by: @loressajo |
 |
2. Glossy + GlowingMary-Esther's skin looks backlit here, as if there is a light beaming softly beneath it. She used Hydro Grip Primer to get that glowing base, adding color to her cheeks with Lip + Cheek in Rally. |
 |
3. Inner Corner ColorProof that just a little color can make a lotta impact. Editorial Manager Jihan Forbes added touches of green eyeliner to the inner third of her eyes, layering a chrome green shadow over top at the very corner of her eye to highlight and add intensity. |
 |
4. Shower SkinFor her summer makeup, our Influencer Relations Manager Jasmine is taking inspiration from an unlikely place: The shower. “I was inspired by the "shower skin" trend—a super hydrated and dewy look that makes your skin look like you just walked out of the shower,” Jasmine explains. She used Hydro Grip Primer and Set + Refresh Spray to get that post-shower dew. Lip + Cheek in Perk to lends a pink flush to her face. On her eyes, a simple combination of Color Chalk in Tag at the center of the lid and a few stripes of KUSH Mascara. |
 |
5. CoralSummer is a good time to bust out the coral and orange tones. Case in point: Paula Andrada, our Community Relations Lead, whose terracotta cheeks match the soft wash of color over her eyes. On her face, Lip + Cheek in Swerve, which is glorious against her bronze skin tone. After applying Hydro Grip Eye Primer to add Color Chalk in Jump to her lids, she grabbed Swerve again for her lips to tie it all together. Look by: @paulagem |
 |
6. Blended BronzerA swipe of bronzer makes any look feel instantly more summery. We’re all about blendable formulas with skincare benefits like our Bionic Bronzer. Or, grab our classic cream stick formula. “Matte Bronzer Stick should be everyone’s BFF,” says Sara. “It’s the most natural way to get that bronzer sculpted look without any harsh unblended lines.” To get this look, she recommends taking your bronzer of choice in a W shape across your cheeks and nose, softly around your jawline and hairline, and then blending it out for a dreamy summer glow. Look by: @kevinbojorquez
|
|
7. Cool-Toned EyeSummer seems like the obvious season for all your bronzy, warm makeup, but we like to play with cool tones, too. Try adding silver accents to your eye makeup for some extra drama, from winged liner to full lid washes. As a bonus, it goes great with a dewy, clean base. “These shades of pewter and silver were perfect for creating a cool-toned eye that I paired with a dewy base, courtesy of Hydro Grip Primer and my favorite skin tint,” said Esther, who used our Color Chalks in Skateboard, Trampoline, and Freeze. Look by: @finessabuxtable
|
|
8. Lifted LashesSummer is the time to lie back and relax, so swap out your false lashes for a natural, lifted look. Sara recommends using our new RISE Mascara to get lashes that look like yours (but better) in a swipe. We designed the curved brush and weightless formula to give you the prettiest fluttery effect. Look by: @evalisa.s
|
|
9. Eye EmbellishmentsStickers, stamps, gems, and sequins are the ideal way to amp up your summer eye makeup. Adding a few embellishments can turn your normal eye looks into something a little more fun and glam. “I think eye embellishments can get overwhelming if you add too much everywhere,” says Sara. “Keep your base light with Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten and Sunshine Skin Tint for a fresh, cool effect.” Add a swipe of Milk Makeup Highlighter for an extra luminous canvas. Look by: @MorgannBeauty |
|
10. Neon GemsThe perfect accessory for a statement eye like this one? Hydro Grip Eye Primer, which helps lock in and intensify shimmery, vibrant shadows so your eye gems really pop. “My inspiration behind this look was a summer night out,” says Carly. “I love having pops of color, all while keeping my skin clean so it makes my eye makeup look more vibrant.” Look by: @glambycarly
|
 |
11. Rosy Flush
|
|
12. Cloud SkinIf dewy vibes aren’t your thing, try cloud skin. It’s characterized by a soft-focus, filtered effect that gives your skin an extra smooth look. Best way to achieve it? Our Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer, our lightweight water cream primer that locks on makeup, blurs pores, and controls shine. “You can use Pore Eclipse with your highlighters, creams, and glowy makeup and still have that controlled dewy look,” says Sara. As a softer alternative to high-wattage highlight, try layering your favorite glowy formulas over Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer for a lit-from-within look. You can also apply our Hydro Grip Primer strategically (instead of allover) for a toned-down glassy glow like this one. “It’s simple and clean, yet flattering,” says Carly. “I love enhancing my features and creating something so seamless, especially in the summertime.” For extra oil-absorbing, makeup-locking action, seal everything in with a few spritzes of Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray. Look by: @glambycarly
|
 |
13. Filtered Full GlamFiltered skin makes the ideal base for a full glam look like this one. “Pore Eclipse is my favorite for this,” says Sara. “I keep calling it the IG Paris filter in a bottle. It immediately softens the look of your pores and skin texture without drying or adding weight.” Apply a single layer before adding a medium- to full-coverage foundation like our Flex Foundation Stick for smooth skin that perfectly complements a full lash and warm smokey eyes. Look by: @scdefined
|
|
14. Y2K MakeupY2K makeup is trending again, and one of our favorite iterations is clean skin paired with dark lids for an emo pop-punk moment. “I wanted to go with a heavy 360-degree dark eyeshadow with minimal face to embody my teen self,” says Shawn, who paired Pore Eclipse with Color Chalk in Skateboard to get the look. Look by: @shxwnzzz
|
 |
15. Dewy Makeup LookDewy makeup looks are a perennial summer favorite for skin that’s fresh, healthy, and glowy, like you just emerged from a midday dip in the pool. To amp up the effect, pair our Hydro Fam with our Bionic Fam for double the glow. Here, Brayan creates the perfect dewy look by pairing hydrated skin with a dusting of faux freckles. To get the look, enhance your natural (or faux) freckles with a spritz of our Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray. Not only does the biphase formula keep your makeup in place, it also adds a healthy sheen to your skin. Look by: @bryannbc
|
|
16. Mermaid MakeupDamp hair, quenched skin, and glowing lids are the ultimate trio to wear for beach trips or days when you feel like channeling a mermaid moment. Here, Jocelyn gets the look with our Hydro Fam, made with blue agave extract and hyaluronic acid to lock in your makeup and help hydrate skin. For a hydrated glow, don’t forget your skin prep. “It’s the key to most great looks!” says Sara. “I love using Hydro Grip Primer and Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray together to prep skin and set in between layers of complexion for a super dewy skin look that keeps makeup on lock.” Look by: @jocelynyvonnestarr
|
 |
17. Green LidsGreen is one of our favorite shades to swap for neutrals, especially in a colorful twist on smokey eyes. For summer nights out, take a cue from this blended green look by Joachris and recreate it with our Color Chalks in Green Light and Double Dutch. Look by: @joachris.o
|
|
18. Blue EyelinerThere are endless ways to wear colorful liner, but one of our favorites involves concentrating it only on the inner corners of your eye and leaving the rest of your lids bare. “Using bright colors is so fun, so I’ve been experimenting with using our Color Chalks this way,” says Sara. “I grab a super thin brush, spray it with some Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray, and dip it into Color Chalk before applying.” Not only is it a pretty way to incorporate color into your makeup, it also couldn’t be easier. “There are so many ways to play with this trend,” says Sara. “I also love a small circle on the corners of my eyes, or even dotted eyeliner.” Look by: @wrentar
|
|
19. Allover FlushPink is surprisingly one of the easiest colors to wear on your eyes, lips, and cheeks at the same time. Choose shades that complement your skin tone and contrasting textures to make the look more fun. We love this combination of our Bionic Blush in Infinity with Color Chalk in Dodgeball and Lip Color in Deuces. Look by: @justlivalittle
|
 |
20. Vibrant Lid WashFor a fun eye look that’s done in a few seconds, choose your favorite shade of shimmery eyeshadow and blend it all over your lids—the brighter, the better. (This one’s Color Chalk in Skip It.) The key is to keep the rest of your look minimal, pairing it with fresh skin and bare lips so all the focus stays on your eyeshadow shade. Wear our Color Chalks over a layer of Hydro Grip Eye Primer for a high-impact hue that stays locked on all day. Look by: @yulingwu
|
 |
21. Blush LayeringWe personally believe that there’s no such thing as too much blush, and this look is proof. Layer all four shades of our Bionic Blush to recreate this custom juicy flush. Remember that a little goes a long way, so add dots of formula to the back of your hand and mix them all together before swiping the new shade on your face. Other options for blush creativity: Mix Bionic with a swipe of Lip + Cheek or a sprinkle of Color Chalk to customize new colors. Look by: @obscuralibra
|
 |
22. Copper LidsThe copperly warmth of our Color Chalk in Jump looks amazing on all skin tones, especially when patted on over a swipe of Hydro Grip Eye Primer. It’s key to making strong colors and textures like this one go on as smooth as possible, even if your eyelids are oily and tend to make eye products crease. “The top of my lids and under my eyes are two different textures—dry under and oily over!—so finding a primer that I can use for both is so convenient,” says Mecca. Look by: @meccamozelle
|
 |
23. Clean LookLet your skincare routine shine through. We love pairing fresh summer skin with minimal products for an easy hydrated finish. A touch of Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten, worn here by Jaiiy in shade 5, is all you need to illuminate your under eyes. Sara also loves to use Sunshine Under Eye for targeted, super light concealing and brightening all over her face. Look by: @depthgod
Shop Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten
|
 |
24. Reverse Cat EyeYou’re familiar with the classic cat eye, but this summer is the perfect time to turn it on its head—literally. Use our KUSH Liquid Liner to tightline your inner corners and lower lashline, then extend the line beyond the outer corners of your eye to create an upside-down wing. To highlight the reverse effect, we recommend keeping your upper eyelid free of liner and dusting it with shimmery metallic shades like our Color Chalks in Skateboard and Freeze. Unexpected summer perfection. Look by: @scaryspice666
|
 |
Don’t forget to tag us in your best summer makeup looks with #MilkMakeup. Can’t wait to see you glow.
Meet the Expert
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
"
